Photographic film or print developing apparatus



Jan. 2, 1923.

J E. STROMBERG. PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM ORPR-INT- DEVELOPING APPARATUS. FILED JA-.I3. 192],

I N VEN TOR Jearzl 5501775669.

ATTORNEY.

rarest JEAN E. STROMBEBG, OF SAN DIEGO, GALIFORNIA.

PHOTOGEAPHIC FILM OE. PRINT DEVELOPING APPARATUS.

Application filed. January 13, 1921. Serial No. 436,912.

To all whom it may con-0cm Be it known that l, JEAN l3. STROMBERG, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Diego, in the county of San Diego and Fltatc of California, have invented certain new and 1 eful Improvements in Photographic Film or Print Developing Apparatus, oi which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a reel shaped apparatus for developing, fixing, washing and drying photographic films or prints of great length and the objects of my invention are: First, to provide a reel apparatus which is so constructed that photographic'tilms or prints of great length may be wound thereon for convenient handling during developing, fixing, washing and drying. Second, to provide a reel apparatus of this class in which the supports are builtup as needed, one upon the other either in concentric or spiral form. Third, to provide a reel apparatus of this class with novel means for supporting the film supporting members one upon the other in their certain relative positions. Fourth, to provide a reel apparatus of this class on which a narrow film may be wound in spiral form with means for supporting it in position. Fifth, to provide a reel apparatus of this class in which the various supporting members are supported in spaced relation with yieldable means in connection therewith to provide for variation. Sixth, to provide a novelly constructed developing, fixing, washing and drying reel apparatus of this class. Seventh, to provide a reel apparatus on which photographic films and prints may be wound in such a manner that sensitized surfaces cannot come in contact with any of its parts or with portions of itself. Eighth, to provide a reel apparatus on which photographic films and prints may be wound and provided with proper space for the proper movements of chemicals and liquids for developing, washing and fixing and providing proper clearance for ventilation for drying purposes; and ninth, to provide a reel apparatus of this class which is very simple and economical of construction, durable, easy to operate and which will not readily deteriorate or get out of order.

With these and other objects in view as will appear hereinafter my invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being bad to t accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon which form a part of this applic .tion in which: I

Figure l is a transverse sectional view of my apparatus in one form through l-l. of Fig. 2; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectionalview through 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a detailed fragmentary side elevational view of the supporting members in their extended position; Fig. l is a sectional view throughl-+.C of Fig. 5; Fig.6 is an enlarged detailed fragmentary side elevational' view of one of the supporting bars; Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the same in a slightly modified form; Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of one of the supporting bars in the form shown in Figure 5 and showing a portion brolren away and insection to facilitate the illustration; Fig. 8 is a view of two of the supports in-their certain spaced relation to each other and showing the yieldable means for supporting them in such relation and Fig. 9 is a similar view to Fig. 1 showing the same in a slightlymodified form.

dimilar characters of reference refer to similar parts and portions throughout the several views of the drawings.

The shaft 1, drum 2, supporting bars 3, latch member 4:, spring 5, chains 6 and 7 and spring 8 constitute the principal parts and portions of my apparatus.

The shaft 1 is an ordinary shaft which is adapted to be'journaled in any siuoporting member and revolved therein; secured thereto is a drum member 2, which is preferably metallic and liquid tight, so mounted that the extended ends of the shaft 1 protrude past the ends of the drum 2. Secured to this drum are a plurality of supporting members 3, constructed as shown best in Figures 5 and 7 of the drawing with the lugs 3 extending inwardly. Then the rest of the reelis built up by means of a series of these supports 3, positioned one upon the other by means of the lugs 3 and supported in certain spaced relation to each other by means. of the chains 6 and 7 and spring 8 which connects the chains 6 and 7, thus providing a spring take up for holding the supporting members 3 in spaced relation and permitting the placing of the supports one upon the other. Each of the supporting members 3 is provided on each of its extended ends with an enlarged portion 3 which enlarged portion 3 is provided with a recess 3" and a lug 3". The lug 3" is adapted to fit into the recess 5 of an adjacent supporting member when they are positioned one upon the other as shown best in Figures 1, Q, and 9 of the drawings. Portion is provided on its sides with a hool: 3 for supporting the chains 6 and 7.

in order tomore securely support these supporting members in their relative position to each other, it have provided a latch member 4c which is provided with an annulz member a adapted to extend 0 mid the lug member 3 and fitinto the recess 3 filecured to the annular member 4 and extending out through the number 3 is a shaft member t provided with a shoulder t" against which one end of the spring 5 rests. The other end of the spring 5 rests against the inner end of a recess 3 in the member 3 This spring 5 tends to hold the annular member 43 in engagement with the notch 23 of the lug S but may be readily released by pressing the member at which compresses the spring 5.

It will be here noted, however that the latch member 4 may be dispensed with if desired.

The supporting members 3 are also provided with a plurality of extended lugs 3 adapted to support the photographic film or print between said lugs and these lugs 3 are positioned in spiral form on each series of supports so that afilm or print is wound on these supports in spiral form starting at one end of the reel and ending at the other if the film or print is of sufiicient length. This film or print is first secured in any suitable manner to one of the supports 3.

It will be here noted, however, that these lugs 3 may be dispensed with if desired, (particularly when a film or print of great width is to be developed).

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination and ar rangement of parts and portions and slight modifications thereof, 1 do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination and arrangement nor to the modifications thereof, but desire to include in the purview of my invention the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

It is obvious that with this construction naaonaa there is provided a reel apparatus for use in developing, fixing, washing and drying films, prints and the like, whereby films or prints of any length may be developed, fixed, washed and dried. That the apparatus may be enlarged and is so constructed that the supports are positioned with one series upon another series so that the apparatus may be extended. to any size desired for supporting the films or prints. That the supports are held in their certain relation to each other by yieldable resilientmeans to facilitate their fitting one upon are other. That the device as a whole is very simple and economical of construction, easy to operate, easy to wind the film or print upon, may be readily immersed with the film or print in position thereon for developing, fixing and washing and also used for drying the film or print while positioned thereon.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus of the class described in cluding a drum member, an axis for supporting said drum member, a series of supporting members mounted around said drum. member. another series of supporting members resiliently connected together and pro-' vided with means for engaging the first mentioned supporting members for holding them in certain relation to said first mentioned supporting members.

2. An apparatus of theclass described including a drum member provided with an extended axis, a plurality of supporting members secured to said drum member, each provided with a plurality of separators on its outer surface.

3. An apparatus of the class described including, a drum member provided with an extended axis, a plurality of supporting members secured to said drum member, each provided'with a plurality of separators on its outer surface, and a plurality of series of similar supporting members resiliently connected together and provided with means whereby one series is engaged by its adjacent series for supporting them in certain relation to each other.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at San Diego, California, this 6th day of January, 1921.

JEAN E. STROMBERG. 

